*********

My heart beat faster as I pounded my legs against the dirt floor. The wind whipped my hair in all directions, partly covering my view of the illuminated forest before me. The tall trees loomed over, shading me from the iridescent glow of the moon. My paws thumped against the ground as I willed myself to push faster and faster. I couldn’t let him see me. I couldn’t let him get me. My fur stood on end, the wind passing through it easily. Musky odors of the leaves infiltrated my snout. Suddenly, the soft floor underneath me turned hard, my paws hitting concrete instead of dirt. I was no longer on all fours. Looking down, the familiarity of my black converse greeted me. My furry paws were now my flesh filled arms, swinging back and forth as I willed myself to run faster. How had I suddenly become human? I didn’t feel the change? But it didn’t matter. I could sense someone running behind me. The dark seemed to mock me with his affluent smirk. Shivers shot up my spine, his cackling laughter filled the air, my breath falling in short pants out of my lungs. I missed the earthly glow of the forest, instead of the long endless hallway I was running in. Wait, a hallway? My eyes trained once more around me. The darkness that loomed before was now replaced with dim lighting. The loud pounding of my feet against concrete once again shifted to echo-like muffles. I stared down at the ground once more. My now barefoot feet thudded on a rubbery, yet hard, floor. The walls around me felt like they were caving in, as the menacing cackle stopped. I willed myself to keep running, albeit not hearing his menacing noise again. The hallway abruptly stopped, after what seemed like centuries. I stood still, confused, the only sound greeting me was the piercing scream of silence. Instantly, the sound of a menacing howl chilled my bones. I spun around, but all I could see was the fading of the hallway into tangible darkness. 

“You can’t run from me forever Arianna...” a voice whispered out, its familiarity ringing in my ears. I turned ever so slowly once again, facing the end of the hall. The face burned unfortunate memories into my mind. The face brought forth its evil taunting smile. The face mocked me. The face shook me to my core. It was my nightmare, my fear, my worst enemy. Him.

**********

My eyes shot open, as sweat trickled down my brow. The loose tank top I was wearing stuck to me, completely drenched. My hands flew to my hair, pulling it all back with my fingers as I tried to interpret the nightmare I just had. 

It’s not like this hasn’t happened before. These dreams-or nightmares-haunted my existence. Him, the reason behind my broken family, the reason behind my constant suffering, the reason behind my mother’s death.

Nobody knew of the deep secret I was harboring. Nobody knew of the wicked man behind my own mother’s existence. I couldn’t ask anyone for help. My mother died, trying to save our family from it. And now, with these reoccurring dreams, it was happening to me. 

The terror of the dream, as well as my frazzled nerves, led me downstairs. I tiptoed quietly and skillfully-especially with all my experiences of dodging any attacks from my father or any other pack member-and reached the back patio. I stood quietly, observing the serene brush behind the pack house. It’s familiar green dulled by the shadows cast from the moonlight. For some reason unknown (my terrifying, hair-behind-your-neck-standing nightmare occurring?) led me back towards the kitchen, where I warmed myself a quick cup of coffee. Lucky for me, the microwave where I warmed my slightly bitter coffee was hum and silent-thanks to the easily woken pack members for choosing it. I rummaged around for some creamer, when I felt someone behind me. I froze, not moving a muscle, and shut my eyes. Praying seemed the only option at that moment, and I gladly took it, saying silent amends that the person behind me wouldn’t hurt me. But I felt the sizzling cackle in the air. Almost like the air was electrocuted, each tiny chemically composed particle attracting electrons and buzzing to life. 

“You shouldn’t be here alone, you know,” he wore his infamous smirk as I spun around to face him. I averted my eyes to the floor once more. I found myself in surprise and awe, when he lifted me off the ground and placed me on the island counter, stepping between my legs, all in one swift motion. I braced my hands on his shoulders, steadying myself. He was gazing at me intently, and although I didn’t look up, I could feel it penetrating my outermost shell. 

“Um, sorry?” I smiled sheepishly at him, despite my heart accelerating so fast it could beat any car at a NASCAR race. 

“Wanna tell me why you’re here?” he brushed back a strand behind my ear, leaving little tingles both on my skin, and in my stomach. 

“Well, uh, I...” I trailed off, but noticed he was laughing quietly.

“What?” I questioned defensively. Mostly, I was surprised. I couldn’t believe I was talking to a guy-much less the freaking ALPHA of my pack-so casually. Where the hell did all this self-confidence come from anyway?

“You’re so cute when you blush,” he smirked once again, tracing my cheek ever so softly with his warm, calloused hand.

I blushed scarlet red once again, although I was surprised he could tell I was blushing in the dark.

He leaned closer, his breath fanning my face. I wanted to reach out and touch his face, but I held back. I couldn’t, no, I wouldn’t surrender myself to him. He was just going to hurt me, like all the other times.

But, strangely, I found myself brushing stray hair out of his eyes, before staring into their depths. We both stood there, unmoving, our breaths, our minds, our hearts in complete sync. It was beautiful, really, to feel so connected towards another. This handsome man in front of me, built for me to have. Not once in my 17, almost 18, years of existence, have I ever felt the slightest bit of possessiveness over something other than family, as much as I did right now. All those stories about mates flashed through my head, and I felt my heart pound with a newfound incentive: to be his, and for him, to be mine. 

I forgot the world around me, the people upstairs, the past, the present, hell even the future, and focused solely on him. Some magnetic power drove me towards him like no other, and I didn’t hesitate once our lips collided. They moved gracefully with one another, like professional ice skating partners. Sensations of love and lust filled the air. 

I wrapped my arms around his neck, while he cradled my waist in his hands. He stepped closer, drawing me closer to him as well. Not one inch of space was between us as I drew myself closer to him. One of his hands left my waist, and rested on my cheek, cupping my chin. We pulled away, breathless, by such an intimate, yet needy kiss. Unlike the others, this one was slow and thrilling, like the climb up on a rollercoaster track, before the big drop. Instead of the usual lust in his smoky grey eyes, there was undeniable love and need. 

We both stood there, shocked at my attempt to make the first move. I slid my eyes downward and began pulling my arms back.

“No, sweetheart, keep them there. You have the right to kiss me just as I have the right to kiss you,” he stated, after placing my arms around his neck once again. I smiled at him, and he smiled back-a genuine smile.

“You should smile more, I like it.” Stupid me, always blurting out random things! I wanted to slap myself at the moment.

He chuckled quietly, before turning his head up to me again.

“Only if you promise to smile more too,” he kissed my forehead, then my nose, before planting a soft kiss on my lips. I closed my eyes, reminiscing in the effect of his warm kisses on my skin.

Thunder crackled outside suddenly, and rain began to pour. 

“Um, maybe we should go back to our rooms?” I suggested, noticing the time. 2 in the morning for a make out session with Drew seemed totally worth it, but it was still really late at night. Frowning slightly, I slid off the counter, and faced him.

"I should head back up," I whispered. Walking around him, I headed towards the stairs. I hadn't even moved two steps when a hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me.

"Arianna, you can't."

Still facing away, my heart hammored in my chest. Did he know? Could he smell my fear and anxiety?

"You're afraid, Arianna. I know you couldn't sleep," He walked around, still grasping my wrist in his hand, while using the other to lift my chin up. I met his eyes, completely engrossed by the sincerity in them.

"Please, stay with me?" He whispered. Coming closer, he wrapped his arms around my waist, and leaned his forehead against mine.

"Please?"

Smiling lightly, I ducked my head down, before replying with a small nod.

With a grin of his own, he let go of me and grabbed my hand. We headed up the stairs, with him leading me.

Clutching the doorknob, I opened the door to his room slowly. This was the first time I'd ever been in his room. I wondered what it was like. The smell was the first thing that hit me. His scent warmed my body, as I opened the door farther.

Drew’s room was something I expected a teenage boy’s room to be, not something out of MTV’s cribs! His room was enormous, that it put most hotel suites to shame. One wall faced out, covered in floor to ceiling glass windows that led to a balcony overlooking the forest. The remaining three blue walls were covered with grey sections around the top. A bed lay in the center, covering some of the laminate wood flooring. His bedroom was loft style, with a small section leading towards comfy white sofas, a flush grey rug, and a large flat screen TV (of course, equipped with any and every game console alive). 

“Wow,” was all I could breathe out. However, the most enticing part of the room wasn’t in the physical features, but the musky smell of woods, fresh pine, and enticing male cologne. Drew picked me up from behind, bridal style, and lay me down in his sheets. I almost melted into them, the softness so comforting after all those years of lying on a hard, uncomfortable mattress. My eyelids grew heavy, as the musk smell of Drew comforted me. I snuggled into the sheets, inhaling his scent once more. Drew slid in beside me, wrapping his hand around my waist, and pulling me close to him. I breathed in his scent once more, much more evident on his chest, and curled up next to him. His heartbeat echoed in my mind, as its steady beat helped my own breathing fall and sleep envelop me.